Widespread drought covering about three-quarters of the UK and a fifth heatwave this summer are threatening salmon migration and supplies. July recorded only 7% of expected rainfall nationally and 1% in parts of southern England, leaving rivers low and evaporation rates high. Conservationists warn Atlantic salmon — already endangered in the UK — and other wetland species face severe stress, while the NFU reports poor wheat and oat yields, raising wider food-security concerns.
UK Drought and Heatwaves Threaten Salmon Supplies and Wildlife
(Photo by Engin Akyurt via Pexels)
Experts warn that salmon supplies in the UK could be squeezed as an intense drought and a fifth heatwave this summer combine with global supply-chain disruption and overfishing to strain availability.
Salmon is one of the UK's most traded fish species, with high volumes both imported and exported. But authorities and conservationists say shrinking river flows, soaring temperatures and depleted water storage are already harming wildlife and may further disrupt the market.
Weather, Water Use and the Flash Drought
Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency, said:
"We are currently using water quicker than nature can replenish it."
(Photo by Héctor Berganza via Pexels)
July brought just 7% of the rainfall normally expected nationwide, falling to around 1% in parts of southern England, and forecasters report no meaningful relief in the near term. The UK has already experienced four heatwaves this summer — including 12 consecutive days above 30°C — and a fifth heatwave is now under way. Extremely low rainfall combined with record temperatures has driven exceptionally high evaporation from soils, plants and rivers, producing a so-called flash drought.
Impacts On Agriculture, Rivers And Wildlife
The Environment Agency warns rivers are running low, some farmers have been forced to harvest early, millions face hosepipe bans and wildfire risk has increased. Reduced river flows and warmer water also lower oxygen levels, adding acute stress to fish and other aquatic species.
Stan Smith, head of species and landscape recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, said:
"Species that are already suffering from fragmented populations or decline due to other factors may be less able to cope with these additional pressures. For those that depend on wetter habitats — wetlands, peatlands and rivers — these extremes create a real risk."
(Photo by Fatih Turan via Pexels)
He added that migratory fish such as Atlantic salmon need sufficient flows to reach spawning grounds; low water can block upstream migration and reduce breeding success. When rain does return, rapid runoff from hardened ground can carry pollutants into rivers, further harming fish.
Broader Food Supply Concerns
The National Farmers' Union has warned that continued drought will increase the risk of food shortages, reporting that wheat and oat yields this year were "very, very poor." Combined pressures on agriculture, river health and supply chains could amplify economic and ecological impacts if hot, dry conditions persist.
What To Watch: rainfall and river-flow forecasts, Environment Agency and Wildlife Trusts updates, NFU crop reports, and any emergency water-use restrictions or conservation measures aimed at protecting habitats and sustaining supplies.
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